2 Timothy 2 - Grace Is the Fuel of the Christian Life!

2 Timothy 2 -

Enduring Word Commentary

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Though "grace" is a gift, it doesn't mean we should be passive as we seek to live in it. Paul tells Timothy to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

The apostle Peter said in his second letter to the church,  "grow in the grace of Christ Jesus.". 2 Peter 3:18. 

To put it simply, from start to finish the Christian life is about grace. Grace fuels our Christian life. Grace equips us with spiritual gifts. Grace inspires us to lead people to Christ. 

Paul knows from personal experience that Timothy is only one man, which is why he urges him to equip other reliable people to be teachers. The important word here is "reliable". We can only know if someone is reliable if we have seen them faithfully carrying out the tasks they have been given. No one should just be given a teaching position in the church. Leaders need to identify potential teachers and then disciple them in the way of Jesus. 

Finally, since Paul writes this from prison, he reminds Timothy that he may suffer like he is. He uses three analogies to point to the type of resolve he would need to persevere through quitting points. A solider that focuses on pleasing his commanding officer. An athlete who competes according to the rules. A farmer who works hard by planting his crops. 

None of these people are successful unless they do the things necessary to be successful. Though God has given us grace, we still need to put our hand to the plough and show up for practice.  

Does your life and activities reflect your desire to grow God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? Do you feel like you are using the grace God has given you?

Grace is the most amazing gift we could ever receive, but what is just as amazing it when we put it to use! 

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

    we will also live with him;

12 if we endure,

    we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

    he will also disown us;

13 if we are faithless,

    he remains faithful,

    for he cannot disown himself.

Paul talks about giving his whole life for the gospel for the sake of the elect. But since he doesn't know who the elect are, he needs to work as hard as possible with all people. Some have made the comment, "Well God already has chosen who He is going to save, so what difference does it make what I do." You can see the deeply flawed logic here. 

Paul asks the Romans 10:14, 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Though we believe God has called some and not others, we preach the gospel so everyone so everyone

has a chance to hear it and receive Christ. God desires all people to be saved and has given the church the task of preaching the Good News to every nation, tribe, and tongue. It is not until this happens that the end will come. 

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

The reason why Paul is so adamant about Timothy watching his life and doctrine closely is that false teachers had already started to infiltrate the church. False teaching just like gossip spreads quickly. 

It is so important for the church to stay focused on the gospel and not things that are "adiaphora". This was a phrase used throughout history for things that weren't necessary for the preaching of the gospel. 

Adiaphora (from the Greek, meaning "things indifferent") refers to matters or actions that are considered morally or spiritually neutral. They are neither explicitly commanded nor forbidden by a higher moral or religious authority (such as the Bible), and thus individuals or groups have liberty in how they approach them

In Christianity, the term is primarily used in theology to discuss matters not essential to faith or salvation, but that are permissible practices or beliefs. Here are some examples:

 

Christian Liberty: Adiaphora falls under the sphere of Christian liberty, where individuals can exercise personal conscience.

Unity and Charity: The principle is often summarized by the saying: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity".

This is why the church has creeds. While they don't have the same authority as God's Word they are faithful expressions of what it means to be a Christian. They are a confession of our Christian faith based on sound doctrine!

Paul cites two false teachers in the church who were saying the resurrection had already happened. 

They were saying that the resurrection is already past: It seems they were teaching that we were already in God’s millennial kingdom, or that there was no resurrection to come – it had already occurred. - Guzik

To think we are in the millennial reign of Christ right now is highly problematic. Jesus has not returned and raised the living and the dead. If we look at our society in no way does any part of it look like Jesus is reigning, as evil and lies abound in every corner of culture. 

God has a plan, God has a purpose, God has a strategy, and it is not going to fail. It doesn’t matter how many fall away, how many reject the truth, how many go their own way after profane and vain babblings – Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands. - Guzik

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

At the end of the day every Christian will have have a different use and purpose for God. If you are saved, you are called and set apart to serve him and be part of the Great Commission Jesus gave his church. But at the end of the day some in the church are more useful than others. 

Since we don't know this, the only real choice we have is to make ourselves useful and give ourselves and lives for the sake of the gospel. We all have different gifts, passions, abilities, and personalities. We are all "shaped" for ministry. Only you can discover this as you learn about what spiritual gifts you have an how to employ them in the local church. 

Back to the beginning comment. You have been given grace (including spiritual gifts), but now you need to discover and use them. You will never know what they are until you try them on for size. As you are faithful in a little, God will give you more to do in the body of Christ!

Are you one of the reliable people in your church that the pastors and other leaders can call on to help grow the church? 

If not, where could you start? 

If you don't know where to start ask the pastor or another ministry leader, what needs to get done in the church? This shows you have a servant's heart and will do whatever it takes to advance the gospel. This is the kind of heart that God uses mightily!

These are the type of people that become vessels of silver and gold for the Lord. One day when Jesus returns they will receive their just reward for their faithfulness to God's call on their lives. 

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Paul reiterates some of the these he has told Timothy earlier. Not when he faces opposition he should approach it with a spirit of gentleness. A man convinced against their will is against it still.

"A drop of honey gathers more flies than a gallon of gall." – Abraham Lincoln. 

We cannot make anyone come to faith. All we can do is share what we have in Jesus and live a life which reflects this. When we have the opportunity we can share the reason for the faith we have, as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit.  1 Peter 3:15

How can you become more like the person Paul has instructed Timothy to be? We need a few more Timothy's so we can reach a world that is so in need of a Savior before its too late!